Grady Health System is poised to cut the ribbon on a new freestanding emergency department in Union City, addressing a stark need for more accessible emergency healthcare in South Fulton. The 20,000 square-foot facility, situated on Highway 92 at South Fulton Parkway, is part of an ongoing partnership between Fulton County and Grady that spans over a hundred years. The groundbreaking event, held last Wednesday, had Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts, and members of the Board of Commissioners, including Vice Chair Bob Ellis and Commissioners Marvin S. Arrington, Jr., Bridget Thorne, Dana Barrett, and Mo Ivory Marking, the occasion.
According to Fulton County's official release, notable figures like Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, as well Union City Mayor Vince Williams joined the assembly, underlining the project's significance. The construction comes on the heels of two hospital closures in 2022, which underscored the healthcare scarcity in the area. The subsequent "Project Care" study, carried out with Morehouse School of Medicine and Ernst & Young, spotlighted a seven-year life expectancy gap between South and North Fulton residents.
Chairman Pitts explicitly stated the gravity of the situation, saying, “We learned that the lack of accessible emergency care in South Fulton is literally costing people their lives. I applaud Grady’s leadership for listening, and I applaud them even more for taking real action. Residents in South Fulton need this and they deserve it,” as mentioned in the Fulton County news.
Fulton County is providing a notable $19.2 million in debt service payments for the project, which will not only serve current medical needs but also allow room for expansion on its 40-acre plot. The freestanding emergency room is set to open its doors in Fall 2026. Its establishment represents a tangible stride toward bridging the healthcare gap that has been part of South Fulton's landscape for some time, casting a hopeful light on the community's future well-being.
